Oceanna Jewell is a young entrepreneur, Educational assistant, Irlen Syndrome Screener, and acrylic portrait painter. She was born in Belleville, and raised in Carrying Place, ON. Oceanna gained an appreciation for art at a young age, watching the Canadian cartoon ‘Total Drama Island’. Her fascination led her to drawing her own contestants. She would go on to dabble from traditional cartoons, anime, and eventually, realism.

During the pandemic, Oceanna worked at a local family restaurant. The owner remembered Oceanna’s interest in visual arts and asked that she paint rocks for the garden. Oceanna wanted to make a special piece among the generic ‘thank you essential worker’ stones. She painted the owner’s portraits on a rock as a gift. That was the beginning to ‘Oceanna Originals’. Oceanna began receiving commissions for commemorative rock art of deceased loved ones and pets.

During 2024, Oceanna reached a few milestones for her business. You can now find ‘Oceanna Originals’ rocks at the ‘Fawn Over Market’ and the ‘Old Mill Alpacas Farm’. Oceanna also performed at 2 live events in 2024, to challenge her skill. In May, Oceanna volunteered and completed 21 ‘speed portraits’ at St. Paul’s Relay for Life event in the duration of 5 hours. Later in the year, Oceanna painted the ‘first kiss’ at a wedding as guests watched. She completed majority of the piece onsite, and finished the details the next day at home. In October, Oceanna then hosted a children’s rock painting workshop at the Trent Hills Library. She hopes to continue making connections with community resources to offer more classes.